Music on life's journey

For so many of us, music in some form or another has been a regular companion during our entire lives. And that’s such a good thing! Whether we play an instrument, sing, or are tone-deaf yet appreciate music’s power, music likely plays an important part in our lives.

It matters little what kind of music we are drawn to. The magic inherent in those notes can seep into the deepest parts of our being without our being aware it’s happening. My personal history with music has been such a blessing to my well-being. That blessing is widely shared by others.

I found that magic and blessing spoken of by some professional musicians. Phillip Sweet, a country-music singer and member of the group Little Big Town sees music magic this way: “It’s really interesting how music can knock down a wall and be an open connection between you and someone else where something else can’t. When music comes along, it just opens your heart a little more.” Yes, Phillip, it does!

I’m not a full appreciator of rap music. But I do appreciate how rapper and songwriter Michael Franti understand music’s magic: “Like sunshine, music is a powerful force that can instantly and almost chemically change your entire mood”. I think Michael is really onto something.

These two musicians speak well of how music helps them/us live well. Country music icon Reba McEntire suggests how music helps us live through sadness: “For me, singing sad songs often has a way of healing a situation. It gets the hurt out in the open into the light, out of the darkness.”

That insight is actually a helpful transition to discussing next Tuesday’s Geezer Forum. Our focus for that day is “Music on the Life Journey: Songs for Living and Dying Well.” This forum basically extends what is happening this in downtown Sand-point: The Com-munity Conver-sation on Living Well & Dying Well.

I have invited a good friend, Beth Pederson, to bring some of her musical friends with her to share some wonderful music based on these two questions: 1) what music helps you to live well?; and 2) what music helps you to die well?

Beth, Tom Newbill, Dennis and Carol Coats, and Betsy Hammet will share not only their music, but also some of the stories that resulted in their moving music. We will also invite participants to share how music has helped them live — and die ­— well.

In her thoughtful book “The Grace in Aging: Awaken as You Grow Older”, Kathleen Dowling Singh suggests that “to contemplate dying each day calls forth an instant reordering of priorities. Just like a quick and deliberate shake of a kaleidoscope, it creates a whole new patterning, a whole new view.”

She refers to dying being able to change our priorities. And it does. But so can living! Part of that priority-change can happen with kaleidoscopic music also, because music can quickly create a new view of living, and dying.

Please join us Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2:30-4 p.m. in the Columbia Bank’s Community Room to discover for yourself how music might be your slightly-turned kaleidoscope as it shows you a new view of living, and dying, well.

Paul Graves, M.Div., is lead geezer-in-training for Elder Advocates, a consulting ministry on aging issues. Contact him at 208-610-4971 or elderadvocates@nctv.com.